BANQUE POPULAIRE IV is the last in a list of successful ORMA 60 racing trimarans designed by Nigel Irens starting back in 1984 with the all-conquering APRICOT; designs have included FLEURY MICHON for Philippe Poupon, FUJICOLOR for Mike Birch and LA TRINITAINE for Marc Guillemot.
In 2007 Pascal Bidegorry sailing BANQUE POPULAIRE IV set the 24 hour sailing record for yachts up to 18.28m (60ft) with 667 nautical miles at an average speed of 27.8 knots, a record that still stands. BANQUE POPULAIRE continues to break records as the fastest sailing boat in the Southern Hemisphere with Sean Langman as TEAM AUSTRALIA.